The SBA Offers Tips on Using Social Media Outlets During Disaster Relief Efforts

Last May, a disastrous tornado destroyed almost 8,000 business and homes in Joplin, Missouri. Last week, more tornadoes struck the mid-west. In response, business leaders and officials used social media to connect victims of the disaster with helpful resources, provide the public with accurate information, and request assistance with urgent needs.

When businesses utilize social media platforms, the goal is usually product promotion and sales. However, you should also consider social media to be a valuable tool in preparing for disaster, as well as recovering from it. In fact, on March 13, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Agility Recovery Solutions will be hosting a webinar offering tips on how to best utilize social media in crisis situations. During the webinar, experts will speak about the best possible uses of social media during crisis situations. They will also discuss case studies, such as the Joplin incident.

The SBA is also providing tips that businesses can use to prepare for disaster situations. The SBA suggests that companies should prepare themselves for all sorts of disasters, regardless of severity. Even small disasters, such as burst pipes, can cause a business considerable difficulty.

If your business has a plan to implement in the even of a disaster, it may prevent the disaster from forcing you to shut down temporarily. Furthermore, if you close your doors for more than five days following a disaster, statistics show that you only have a 10 percent chance of ever reopening. For this reason, it is essential that you develop a plan so that you can get back to providing customers with your services or products as quickly as possible.

Even if you are well-prepared, you may still find yourself in need of recovery assistance after a disaster. In such cases, you may qualify for assistance from the SBA in the form of a low-interest SBA loan. You may also obtain an SBA loan for other purposes, such as expansion or a necessary purchase. UnsecuredBizLoan provides a simple online application that you can use to apply for an SBA loan.

To learn more about the program and how much your business may qualify to borrow, complete the application today.